Synopsis

In the late Edo period, Japan had experienced an unprecedented crisis by Kurofune (Black Ships), the ships from foreign countries. But a giant robot called Onigami, which has existed since ancient time, dispelled the Kurofune ships and the exclusion of foreigners was accomplished. The story begins in Japan where Meiji restoration in 1868 didn't happen. The tagline says, "I can be the greatest man in the world, because I am a virgin!!"

Well, what can I say.... there really isn't much to talk about with this series with a good report. I mean not only did the synopsis seem to have potential, basically a historical mecha series with some political overtones, but it also had Dai Sato on board with the production. If you don't know who he is, he is nothing short of a legend within the industry who composed the series, Eureka 7 but famous for his brilliant script writing in series such as Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex series and Wolf's Rain just to name a few. You'd think that he would have a influence with the script and Fuuun Ishin Dai Shogun really started to look good and then the first episode aired.

What seemed interesting and promising at first soon turned out to be a disappointment and most likely in the top group of mediocre to borderline worst series of the Spring 2014 season. There is this thing with original anime's and they are pretty much a make or break. This was definitely a break though I will admit it had it moments with some of the comedy used but overall, this series was badly written and filled with scandalous scenes which it heavily relied on for it's comedic moments and it's appeal.

Directed from the well known Takashi Watanabe, a story set in 1875 in a Japan where the Meiji Restoration never happened because an ancient giant robot chased off the black ships. The black ships a.k.a "Kurofune" are from the west that are trying to take over. The ancient giant robots called "Onigami" are powerhouses that can only be piloted by those who are virgins. This is where our main protagonist comes into the picture in Keiichiro Tokugawa who is has a rebellious nature. He was cursed as a boy that made him unable to touch women, because of this he vows to become the greatest man, because he is a virgin! This make him compatiable to pilot a Onigami and he has an assassin in Kiriko Hattori to guide him along the way along with Chiharu and Hyougo Asai who are the other main characters that he meets along the way that help him pilot the Onigami.

Once again, Japan is under attack by the Kurofune and they are after Keiichiro and his Onigami and pretty much from this point on.... the series strips down butt naked (literally) runs off a cliff and falls 5000 feet to it's death. Maybe I went a little overboard there, but this series just turned into a sex-comedy and a very poorly executed one at that. The series does have it's moments and can be funny as I must admit but they are very much in glimpses. The fan service is far above mild and those who dislike fan service but can tolerate some mild scenes may have major issues with this show. The amount of T and A's shown is a lot but Thank God for the blurred liiiiiiiiiiiiiines!

I am left scratching my head and thinking to myself, "Did J.C Staff go broke?" because the animation in Fuuun Ishin Dai Shogun is horrendous! Absolutely poor! Did they even try to animate this show? Did the just "YOLO" this production? I mean one of my old Floppy Disks containing very old Dragon Ball Z gifs from 2004 have better animation than this. This is like stop frame with bad lip sync and I have no idea how they managed to get away with it. It really is an upsetting factor considering the designs of the characters, Kurofune and Mechas are pretty decent. Some of the designs of the different versions of Onigami were impressive but the animation was far too distracting to have an appreciation for the visuals. If you guys love fanservice then you are in for a treat. Boobs, boobs and more boobs. There isn't a moment that goes by where there isn't a female with a enormous pair of juggernauts, probably the only thing that is animated well and moves fluidly enough to arouse the hardcore ecchi fans.

The soundtrack is nothing special, I can hardly remember a single tune of any OST except for one which normally played when Keiichiro pilot's the "Susano'o" which complimented the action scenes to give it a more 'manly' vibe. The Opening song, "Damashii Rises" by Kyoco is a song that can grab your attention but it's just plain good at best. The Ending song, "Upon a Star" by Saeko Zougou is a light and peaceful song that really doesn't fit any theme within the series, to me it didn't fit right. The casting for the characters where very good, voice actors got the job done but they were very, very limited due to the poor writing and lack of proper dialogue, especially Kiriko who probably has the Guinness World Record for saying a characters name 1 million times in a series. "Keiichiro-sama! Keiiiiiiichiro-sama!! Kei...chiro.....sama!" over and over and over.

Admittedly the characters can be enjoyable and they did have their entertaining moments but sadly they all get outshine by the extreme amount of fanservice and sexual themes. Keiichiro like Nobunaga is a larger than life character and a bit of a mouthpiece however where Nobu is the badass that can back his mouth up, Keiichiro is more of a less impressive man and a bit too normal to match Nobu. He then develops a little Harem but too bad for him he is cursed that doesn't allow him to achieve maximum manhood glory. Miharu is spunky and the only flat chested female character in the series though I found her to be the most enjoyable out of the lot. Hyougo is a badass and Kiriko at time is but she can be very annoying, she lacks resolve and the ability to truly express herself which later causes trouble for Keiichiro.

It's a shame, a lot of potential gone to waste. I hope that this series doesn't serve as an example for studios to put out poorly animated productions for quick buck. The amount of time they dedicate to fan service is pretty high to the point where you forget the main protagonists goals and the ever disappearing-reappearing plot. Poorly executed in all areas and something I will not feel comfortable recommending to anyone. If anything said here interested you and are curious enough then, why not, maybe you won't dislike it and may find it entertaining. Just remember that curiosity killed the cat.read more

...........................ok, so another mecha anime has just ended...............and I don't have much to say about this rather chaotic anime thing that combines with mecha, action, historical, harem and with some ecchi element, in fact I see this anime as something that desecrates the Tokugawa clan and its retainers, if I were one of the descendants of the Tokugawa or any of its retainers, I'd sure be suing studio J.C Staff and A.C.G.T for such embarrassment to the clan, so no more BS and here are my ratings for this anime:

Story and Character: Poor 3.

The story plot was chaotic, misleading and above all one would more focus on those bodacious babes like Kiriko, Chiharu, Hokoin, Asai, the 3 bitches (Soji, Kondou and Toshizu), and Maika than anything else. Keiichiro was more of a double standard where at one point he is this troublesome toughguy who can't seem to get himself to banged a girl and at the same time he is a hero who wants to protect the people around his area.Just like the guy the other characters were also the same where they have roles were also a double standard i.e. there s a hot Iga ninja who deoesn't seem to have the ability to save herself let alone put up a good fight, there is a foxxy flat-chested ex-courtesan who at the last episode was unable to do her worst and a cross-dress hot babe who was suppose to be good with the katana but not good enough, then again her panty shot did make up for her short comings. Frankly only the antagonist were the only ones whom were right for their roles.

Art and enjoyment: Outstanding 10

Well just like the guys who were a sucker for them girls' bodaciousness , I too fell for it.

This anime caught my attention first via its video game based particularly its design art. I was surprise and quite dissapointed to find out that its was really a video game (hoping for a anime adaptation in the future.)
And that hoping became a reality when it was announce that an anime based on the popular video game will come in 2014.... well a huge anticipating smile on my face.

This anime is a mixed of (a bit) history, fictional story lines on robots in ancient Japan. Romantic encounters, and some legendary mystical creatures in Japanese folklore.

Story - 8 interesting, making you think on what's next...... going to happen.

When other nations tend to invade Japan, and ninja clans unite to save thier homeland. And Legendary mechas Origami are used to defend against enemy forces within and foriegn. Within, where some corrupt Japanese group tend to take over Japan in some what selfish intentions.

Character - 10 outstanding design, especially mechas (Well, Susanoo is a bit boring to look at until it transforms into 3 different ver. based on who female leads partner with the main pilot).

A male lead seems to be a playboy who does not know who he is until his Granny who adopted him told him about his past and he is destined to lead Japan to victory.
Remains a virgin in order to operate Susanoo (quite familiar to hentai express in a way although hentai express requires sexual acts to operate.).

Female leads are well greatly, drawn. Although there are some scenes with the annoying bright light to cover up sensitive part of the female body, but it does not disrupts the audience that much in enjoying this wonderful anime. And there are butt shots too.

The mechas are well, designed. Great effects. But needs a bit more exposure on transformation (Susanoo) as it shown a bright light literally engulfing the entire robot until it magically transform into like a (1 of 3 transformation mode) Mecha-Godzilla mode.

Sound - great. simply great.

Overall, a must watch if....
you are historically inclined
you simply like watching mechas go at it
you like ecchi scenes...... especially semi-hentai scenes
you like watching a looser playboy rise up to gain respect and earn his right to be called a man and a sidekick who seems dumb but a very friend who will risk everything for his friend/master.
you like harem animes.......
you like sort of love triangle (ep. 7), where another hero appears to steal the girl of our hero, in this anime's case, a childhood friend/former lover appears to battle it out on who wins the girl.read more